Tom Thibodeau Sends Clear Knicks Message Ahead of Playoffs

Tom Thibodeau delivers clear Knicks message

Fortunately for the Knicks, this game didn't count for much other than getting back to their winning ways. 

They had secured the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference on Friday, so New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau had a critical decision to make. 

In what may surprise some, Thibodeau opted to withdraw his starters from Sunday's contest in Brooklyn. The reason it could be shocking is because Thibodeau is known for playing his starters plenty of minutes. 

"We thought that that was the best thing for our team and we're always going to put that first," Thibodeau said. "You just deal with your circumstances and your reality. It was a good opportunity to give the bench guys extended minutes. 

Even without the starters, the Knicks secured the win, which could give New York's bench players confidence going into the playoffs for when they're called upon.

"Landry [Shamet] big game, Cam [Payne] big game," Thibodeau said. "I thought PJ [Tucker] made some really tough plays for us. Precious [Achiuwa] gave us good minutes. It was good for those guys to get some extended minutes."

It remains to be seen as to which day the Knicks vs Detroit Pistons series will start. We know it'll either be Saturday April 19, or Sunday April 20. 

While the Knicks went just 1-3 against the Pistons this season, the oddsmakers believe in New York. A lot.

The Knicks are currently -425 favorites to win the series. That's an implied probability of  80.95%.